Chengdu Travel Information

The Basics

Time

Electricity

Language

The official language is Mandarin Chinese, but there are hundreds of local dialects.

Tipping

Tipping is not officially recognised in China, though the
practice is has become increasingly common among tour guides,
top-end restaurants, tour bus drivers and hotel staff. Travellers
wanting to tip should leave a gratuity of about 10 percent. Large
hotels and restaurants often include a service charge in their
bills, usually of around 10 percent, so travellers should make sure
that they aren't doubling up.

Safety Information

China is generally safe, and there is currently little threat
from global terrorism. The risk of terror attacks is higher in the
Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and travellers should exercise
caution if travelling to or around Xinjiang. Serious crime against
foreigners is rare but does occur, particularly in isolated or
sparsely populated areas. There has been an increase in the number
of muggings and robberies at Beijing International Airport and
around the Jianguomenwai area of Beijing, as well as in Shenzen,
bordering Hong Kong.

If travelling alone, including following parts of the Great
Wall, it is advisable to leave an itinerary and expected time of
return with a third party. Travellers should take extra care in
street markets and at tourist sites, which attract thieves and
pickpockets, and around the popular expat bar areas at night, where
lone foreigners have occasionally been attacked. Travellers should
be cautious about using pedicabs in Beijing, as tourists have
reportedly been mugged by the drivers; women in particular have
been targeted. Disputes over taxi fares can occur. Insist on paying
the metered fare and ask for a receipt; this has the taxi number on
it.

Seasonal heavy rains and typhoons cause hundreds of deaths in
China each year, particularly those areas bordering the Yangtze
River in central, southern and western China. Demonstrations have
taken place in Lhasa, Tibet, as well as in some Chinese provinces
in protest against Chinese rule in Tibet. Even though the situation
seems to have stabilised, visitors are advised to stay up to date
on the situation before travelling to the region and to avoid all
protests. The Chinese government sometimes suspends the issue of
permits for travel to Tibet due to unrest.

Local Customs

Chinese people usually have three names, the first of
which is their surname, or family name. As a result, visitors
should be prepared for hotels mistakenly reserving rooms under
their first names. For clarity, surnames may be underlined. When
addressing Chinese people, the surname should come first and
official titles should be used. Chinese handshakes last longer than
those in western countries, and it is customary to stand close
together when in conversation. Politeness in western terms is often
foreign to the Chinese, and they rarely bother with pleasantries.
It is considered disrespectful to keep prolonged eye contact,
avoiding eye contact is considered reverential rather than rude.
All foreigners should carry their ID on them at all times, as spot
checks are common. Failure to show evidence of ID when requested by
an official may result in a fine or detention.

Business

The Chinese are strict timekeepers and being late for a meeting
is considered rude. When meeting people for the first time it is
normal to shake hands and say 'ni hao', which means 'how
are you'. Note that handshakes generally go on for longer in China
than in most western countries. Business cards are commonly
exchanged at the start of meetings in China; it is customary to
have one side printed in Chinese and one in English. When giving or
receiving business cards or a gift, it is customary to hold it with
both hands. Chinese consider gifts an important show of courtesy.
Decision-making may take longer than expected during negotiations.
During a meal or reception, your host is likely to offer a toast;
foreigners may be expected to offer them one in return.

Women are generally treated with respect and courtesy when doing
business in China and it is increasingly common to find Chinese
women in senior positions, especially in the big cities.
Businesswomen should, however, avoid showing too much skin.
Business dress for both men and women tends to be conservative and
plain without much ornament or bright colour.

Business hours are 8am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday. A five-day
week is more common in larger cities and international companies.
Workers usually take their lunch break between 12pm and 2pm and it
is not unusual to find offices empty during this time.

Communications

The international dialling code for China is +86. Phone booths
on the streets are usually for local calls only. In hotels, local
calls are generally free or will be charged only a nominal fee.
Hotels, cafes and restaurants offering free wifi are widely
available. As international roaming costs can be high, purchasing a
local prepaid SIM card can be a cheaper option.

Duty Free

Travellers to China do not need to pay customs duty on 400
cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500g of tobacco; 1.5 litres of alcohol;
perfume for personal use; and personal articles up to the value of
¥2000. Prohibited goods include arms, ammunition, or printed
material that conflicts with the public order or moral standards of
the country. Also prohibited are radio transmitters and receivers,
exposed but undeveloped film and fresh produce. Strict regulations
apply to the import and export of antiquities, banned publications,
and religious literature. All valuables must be declared on the
forms provided.

Chengdu Travel Information

The Basics

Time

Electricity

Language

The official language is Mandarin Chinese, but there are hundreds of local dialects.

Tipping

Tipping is not officially recognised in China, though the
practice is has become increasingly common among tour guides,
top-end restaurants, tour bus drivers and hotel staff. Travellers
wanting to tip should leave a gratuity of about 10 percent. Large
hotels and restaurants often include a service charge in their
bills, usually of around 10 percent, so travellers should make sure
that they aren't doubling up.

Safety Information

China is generally safe, and there is currently little threat
from global terrorism. The risk of terror attacks is higher in the
Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and travellers should exercise
caution if travelling to or around Xinjiang. Serious crime against
foreigners is rare but does occur, particularly in isolated or
sparsely populated areas. There has been an increase in the number
of muggings and robberies at Beijing International Airport and
around the Jianguomenwai area of Beijing, as well as in Shenzen,
bordering Hong Kong.

If travelling alone, including following parts of the Great
Wall, it is advisable to leave an itinerary and expected time of
return with a third party. Travellers should take extra care in
street markets and at tourist sites, which attract thieves and
pickpockets, and around the popular expat bar areas at night, where
lone foreigners have occasionally been attacked. Travellers should
be cautious about using pedicabs in Beijing, as tourists have
reportedly been mugged by the drivers; women in particular have
been targeted. Disputes over taxi fares can occur. Insist on paying
the metered fare and ask for a receipt; this has the taxi number on
it.

Seasonal heavy rains and typhoons cause hundreds of deaths in
China each year, particularly those areas bordering the Yangtze
River in central, southern and western China. Demonstrations have
taken place in Lhasa, Tibet, as well as in some Chinese provinces
in protest against Chinese rule in Tibet. Even though the situation
seems to have stabilised, visitors are advised to stay up to date
on the situation before travelling to the region and to avoid all
protests. The Chinese government sometimes suspends the issue of
permits for travel to Tibet due to unrest.

Local Customs

Chinese people usually have three names, the first of
which is their surname, or family name. As a result, visitors
should be prepared for hotels mistakenly reserving rooms under
their first names. For clarity, surnames may be underlined. When
addressing Chinese people, the surname should come first and
official titles should be used. Chinese handshakes last longer than
those in western countries, and it is customary to stand close
together when in conversation. Politeness in western terms is often
foreign to the Chinese, and they rarely bother with pleasantries.
It is considered disrespectful to keep prolonged eye contact,
avoiding eye contact is considered reverential rather than rude.
All foreigners should carry their ID on them at all times, as spot
checks are common. Failure to show evidence of ID when requested by
an official may result in a fine or detention.

Business

The Chinese are strict timekeepers and being late for a meeting
is considered rude. When meeting people for the first time it is
normal to shake hands and say 'ni hao', which means 'how
are you'. Note that handshakes generally go on for longer in China
than in most western countries. Business cards are commonly
exchanged at the start of meetings in China; it is customary to
have one side printed in Chinese and one in English. When giving or
receiving business cards or a gift, it is customary to hold it with
both hands. Chinese consider gifts an important show of courtesy.
Decision-making may take longer than expected during negotiations.
During a meal or reception, your host is likely to offer a toast;
foreigners may be expected to offer them one in return.

Women are generally treated with respect and courtesy when doing
business in China and it is increasingly common to find Chinese
women in senior positions, especially in the big cities.
Businesswomen should, however, avoid showing too much skin.
Business dress for both men and women tends to be conservative and
plain without much ornament or bright colour.

Business hours are 8am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday. A five-day
week is more common in larger cities and international companies.
Workers usually take their lunch break between 12pm and 2pm and it
is not unusual to find offices empty during this time.

Communications

The international dialling code for China is +86. Phone booths
on the streets are usually for local calls only. In hotels, local
calls are generally free or will be charged only a nominal fee.
Hotels, cafes and restaurants offering free wifi are widely
available. As international roaming costs can be high, purchasing a
local prepaid SIM card can be a cheaper option.

Duty Free

Travellers to China do not need to pay customs duty on 400
cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500g of tobacco; 1.5 litres of alcohol;
perfume for personal use; and personal articles up to the value of
¥2000. Prohibited goods include arms, ammunition, or printed
material that conflicts with the public order or moral standards of
the country. Also prohibited are radio transmitters and receivers,
exposed but undeveloped film and fresh produce. Strict regulations
apply to the import and export of antiquities, banned publications,
and religious literature. All valuables must be declared on the
forms provided.